Nigel Pearson has indicated he sees Max O’Leary as Bristol City’s No1 for the season ahead and the prospect of signing a new goalkeeper will be dictated by what happens over pre-season, rather than it being a priority at this moment in time.
O’Leary made 37 appearances for the Robins last season - 50 per cent of his total matches for the club since making his debut in January 2016 - having successfully wrestled the gloves from Dan Bentley, who was sold to Premier League Wolves in January in anticipation of his contract expiring this summer.
City have three keepers who could be categorised as "senior" in O’Leary, Stefan Bajic and Harvey Wiles-Richards. Then again, the latter two are both aged 21 and Bajic has played just 90 minutes for the club since signing last summer, while Wiles-Richards has only ever appeared on the bench.
Pearson has previously hinted that City would consider bringing in another experienced figure to rival the 26-year-old but, for now, he seems happy with the department although that opinion could alter depending on how the summer programme develops.
With Bajic away at the European Under-21 Championships as France’s No2 and unlikely to be involved for at least the start of the training camp in Austria - depending on how they fare against Switzerland tonight in their final group match - the hierarchy can be considered as O’Leary and then Wiles-Richards, for now at least.
In many ways the battle for the deputy spot is an interesting one. Bajic’s loan to Valenciennes in Ligue 2 did not going according to plan, as he lost his place in the side, but the Frenchman was signed as a long-term project, while Wiles-Richards has been waiting patiently for his chance.
“I know I like the goalkeepers and I like Max,” Pearson said this week at the High Performance Centre. “Max proved last season to be a really good number one, and he’s what we need.
"He’s brave decision-wise, he makes positive decisions, and the defence looked a lot more assured with him behind. I’m really happy with what he brings.
“I think pre-season will dictate whether we strengthen there. I’ll have to look at both Harv and Stef to see where they are at. We’ll give them a bit of exposure in the games and we’ll make a decision based on what is doable as well.”
O’Leary and Wiles-Richards have been joined in pre-season training by the next crop of academy goalkeepers in Josey Casa-Grande, Joe Duncan, Mac Boyd and Sam West and it would seem logical that at least one of them will be on the plane to Austria, albeit that decision also perhaps dependent on Bajic and how France perform in Romania.
Ultimately, it’s not something Pearson considers an issue at present and if the situation arises whereby he has to add someone in the window in that position, competition for and availability of goalkeepers isn’t as strong as in other areas of the field.
Notably midfield, which now occupies Pearson’s thoughts as to where he wants to reinforce his squad after adding three defenders in Rob Dickie, Ross McCrorie and Haydon Roberts. The City manager has been at pains to emphasise that the need for midfielders isn’t being driven by the prospect of Alex Scott’s departure, more by problems and concerns that arose last season.
With Matty James, Andy King and Kal Naismith all in their 30s, Joe Williams is the only other deeper-lying senior midfielder and all four of that quartet have encountered injury problems over the last 12 months that have, at various times, limited their availability.
City are certainly a better side with one, or more, of James, Naismith and Williams in the starting XI but the concept of reliability and simple numbers means the Robins could do with at least one more true central - not attacking - midfielder, if not two.
They have had two bids rejected for Derby County’s Jason Knight who represents an obvious addition in that area of the field, capable of fulfilling a number of roles, but it’s not a given that City will be able to crack the Rams’ resolve - if even they want to - and the club may soon look elsewhere.
“We’ve got Matty James in his 30s, Andy King and Kal Naismith, they’re all players who are very important for us,” Pearson added. “Matty James proved his worth last year and our fan base recognised why he’s held in such high regards by the players and staff. It’s something that is important.
“When you’ve got players who (we) are also aware of some of the availability issues in midfield. It’s an area we are looking to strengthen, not replace and that is the key to it. I think that is a point I really want to stress very strongly. When you play 4-3-3 as we do, we need a real balance and options in midfield and legs, that’s the big thing.”
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